War in the wilderness and failure resulting from idolatry

War is found in the wilderness (though it is not characteristic of
it) whenever we fall into the snares the enemy there lays for
us. There are always conflicts in the heavenly places in order to the
enjoyment of the things promised there. But in the wilderness it is
patience which is in exercise.

But if there be failure, if we fall into idolatry, if we commit
fornication with the world by yielding to its baits, if in any way
whatever we contract friendship with the world in the desert, we make
wars for ourselves, without having even the advantage of acquiring, in
this kind of warfare, any spiritual ground. God is obliged to make our
relations with the world undergo a total change. If we had not formed
intimacies with them, we should not have had that trouble; but, since
as our friends they deceive us, we must become enemies. Having no
relations whatever with them is our proper and peaceful position.

The way of God-given victory

How often we must act the part of enemies with the world, because
we have sought to have to do with them as friends, and they were a
snare to our souls! However, God gives a complete victory as soon as
we treat them as foes: only, all that seduced must be utterly
destroyed. There must be nothing spared, no concession.

God honours all who serve Him according to His sovereign will

The Lord orders also concerning the joy resulting from the wars of
His people with their enemies. He chooses whom He will for the war,
and honours them; but He will also honour, in their place, those who
have been left behind according to His sovereign will, and who have
faithfully discharged the perhaps less arduous task allotted to them;
but who have, however, done it according to His will. God Himself is
also recognised there in the Levites and the priests.